Vadadustat

FDA label, Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., oral, effective 2026-03-30. Full label on DailyMed

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Quoted from the FDA label. Product labels differ by manufacturer and change over time; confirm against the label for the product you are using.

Boxed warning

WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF DEATH, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, STROKE, VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM, and THROMBOSIS OF VASCULAR ACCESS VAFSEO increases the risk of thrombotic vascular events, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Targeting a hemoglobin level greater than 11 g/dL is expected to further increase the risk of death and arterial and venous thrombotic events, as occurs with erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs), which also increase erythropoietin levels [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .

No trial has identified a hemoglobin target level, dose of VAFSEO, or dosing strategy that does not increase these risks [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] . Use the lowest dose of VAFSEO sufficient to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions [ see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] . WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF DEATH, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, STROKE, VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM, and THROMBOSIS OF VASCULAR ACCESS. See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. VAFSEO increases the risk of thrombotic vascular events, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

( 5.1 ) Targeting a hemoglobin level greater than 11 g/dL is expected to further increase the risk of death and arterial and venous thrombotic events, as occurs with erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs), which also increase erythropoietin levels. ( 5.1 ) No trial has identified a hemoglobin target level, dose of VAFSEO, or dosing strategy that does not increase these risks. ( 2.4 ) Use the lowest dose of VAFSEO sufficient to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions. ( 2.4 )

Hypoxia-inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor

Dosing in kidney impairment

Do not target a hemoglobin level higher than 11 g/dL. VAFSEO can be taken with or without food. VAFSEO should be swallowed whole. Tablets should not be cut, crushed, or chewed. VAFSEO can be administered without regard to the timing or type of dialysis [see Clinical Pharmacology] . If a dose of VAFSEO is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, unless it is the same day as the next dose.

Dosing in liver impairment

Pre-Treatment and On-Treatment Evaluations of Anemia, Iron Stores, and Liver Tests Evaluation of Anemia and Iron Stores Correct and exclude other causes of anemia (e.g., vitamin deficiency, metabolic or chronic inflammatory conditions, bleeding) before initiation of VAFSEO. Evaluate iron status in all patients before and during treatment.

Administer supplemental iron therapy when serum ferritin is less than 100 mcg/L or when serum transferrin saturation is less than 20%. The majority of patients with CKD will require supplemental iron during the course of therapy. Measure hemoglobin (Hb) at baseline and as recommended in section 2.4 . Liver Testing Measure serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin prior to the initiation of VAFSEO and monthly after initiation for the first 6 months and then monitor as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions] .

Discontinue VAFSEO if there are persistent ALT or AST elevations greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) or if ALT or AST elevations greater than 3 times ULN are accompanied by a bilirubin increase greater than 2 times ULN [see Warnings and Precautions] .

Drug interactions

Check vadadustat against a medication list
Label text (8 paragraphs)

Iron supplements and iron-containing phosphate binders: Administer VAFSEO at least 1 hour before products containing iron. ( 7.1 ) Non-iron-containing phosphate binders: Administer VAFSEO at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after non-iron-containing phosphate binders. ( 7.1 ) BCRP substrates: Monitor for signs of substrate adverse reactions and consider substrate dose reduction. ( 7.2 ) Statins: Monitor for statin-related adverse reactions ( 7.2 ).

7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on VAFSEO Table 3 describes clinically significant drug interactions where concomitant use of another drug affects VAFSEO. Table 3 Drug Interactions with VAFSEO that Affect Vadadustat Exposure Iron supplements and phosphate binders Clinical Effect Co-administration with oral iron supplements, products containing iron, or phosphate binders decreases the exposure of vadadustat [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may reduce the effectiveness of VAFSEO.

Prevention or Management Stagger administration when VAFSEO is used with oral iron supplements, products containing iron, iron-containing phosphate binders, or non-iron-containing phosphate binders [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )] .

Examples * Iron supplements : ferric citrate, ferrous sulfate, sodium ferrous citrate Iron-containing phosphate binders : ferric citrate, sucroferric oxyhydroxide Non-iron-containing phosphate binders : calcium acetate, sevelamer carbonate Organic anion transporter (OAT) OAT1/OAT3 inhibitors Clinical Effect Co-administration with OAT1/OAT3 (Organic Anion Transporter) inhibitors may increase the area under the concentration curve (AUC) of vadadustat [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may increase the risk of VAFSEO adverse reactions. Prevention or Management Closely monitor for too large or too rapid an increase in Hb response and for adverse reactions.

Examples * OAT1 inhibitors: probenecid, rifampicin OAT3 inhibitors: gemfibrozil, probenecid, teriflunomide * These examples are not a comprehensive list of all possible drugs that may fit this category.

7.2 Effect of VAFSEO on Other Drugs Table 4 describes clinically significant drug interactions where VAFSEO affects the co-administered drug. Table 4 Drug Interactions with VAFSEO that affect co-administered drugs BCRP substrates Clinical Effect Vadadustat may increase the exposure of BCRP substrates [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may increase the risk of adverse reactions related to the BCRP substrate. Prevention or Management Monitor for signs of adverse effects of the co-administered BCRP substrate and reduce substrates’ dosage in accordance with their approved product labeling, if needed.

Example * sulfasalazine Statins Clinical Effect Vadadustat increases the maximal concentration (C max ) and AUC of some statins when co-administered [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Prevention or Management Monitor for possible statin-related adverse reactions. Concomitant Drug Name Recommendation Simvastatin Starting dose of simvastatin should be 5 mg/day. Maximum daily dose of simvastatin not to exceed 20 mg. Rosuvastatin Maximum daily dose of rosuvastatin not to exceed 5 mg.

OAT3 substrates Clinical Effect Vadadustat may increase the exposure of co-administered OAT3 substrates [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may increase the risk of adverse reactions related to these substrates. Prevention or Management Monitor for signs of adverse reactions of the co-administered OAT3 substrates and adjust substrates’ dosage in accordance with their approved product labeling, if needed. Examples * cefaclor, ceftizoxime, famotidine, furosemide, oseltamivir carboxylate, penicillin G, sitagliptin * These examples are not a comprehensive list of all possible drugs that may fit this category.

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VAFSEO is contraindicated in patients: with a known hypersensitivity to VAFSEO or any of its components [see Description ( 11 )] . with uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Known hypersensitivity to VAFSEO or any of its components ( 4 ) Uncontrolled hypertension ( 4 )

Safety data

Reported adverse events (FAERS)

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Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System via openFDA

Liver injury (LiverTox)

LiverTox has no chapter for vadadustat. Check the label's hepatic warnings.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to VAFSEO during pregnancy. Health care providers and patients are encouraged to report pregnancies by calling 1-844-445-3799. Risk Summary Available data with VAFSEO use in pregnant women are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with CKD (see Clinical Considerations) .

Vadadustat administration orally to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis was associated with reduced fetal weight at doses that caused maternal toxicity. In rat and rabbit studies, vadadustat was not teratogenic (see Data) . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

VAFSEO should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk: CKD in pregnancy increases the risk for maternal hypertension, preeclampsia, miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, low birth weight infants, and polyhydramnios. Data Animal Data Vadadustat decreased fetal weight and reduced fetal skeletal ossification in rats at a dose of 160 mg/kg/day (1.7 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] based on AUC), which was associated with maternal toxicity defined by reduced body weight gain and food consumption.

Vadadustat was orally administered to pregnant rabbits at doses of 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 until gestation day 18 during the period of organogenesis. Vadadustat administration at 50 mg/kg/day resulted in maternal toxicity of reduced body weight gain, but no adverse effects on embryofetal development were observed at doses less than or equal to 50 mg/kg/day (1.5 times the MRHD based on AUC). In a pre- and postnatal development study, pregnant rats were dosed orally with vadadustat 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day from implantation until weaning (gestation day 6 to lactation day 20) at 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day.

There were decreased body weights of offspring at the dose of 80 mg/kg/day but no adverse effects were observed at doses less than or equal to 80 mg/kg/day (0.3 times the…

Breastfeeding (LactMed)

No information is available on the clinical use of vadadustat during breastfeeding. Because vadadustat is more than 99.5% bound to plasma proteins, the amount in milk is likely to be low. However, the manufacturer recommends not breastfeeding during treatment with vadadustat, and for 2 days after the final dose.

Source: LactMed: Vadadustat (NICHD, public domain)Revised Feb 15, 2026

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